Process for making alcohol.



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ADOLPB-WOOLNER, JR., AND ALADAR LAssLorFv, or PEORIA, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNORS TO WOOLNEB DISTILLING-COMPANY, OF PEORIA, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF LLI- No s.

PROCESS FOR MAKING ALCOHOL.

Patented June 1, 1909.

Application filed June 28, 1907. Serial No; 381,219.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, ADOLPl-I WOOLNER, Jr., and ALADAR LAssLoFrY, citizens of the United States and Hungary, respectively, residing at Peoria, in the county of Peoria and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Imrovements in Processes for Making Alcoho and we do hereby declare that the followin is a full, clear, and

exact description of t e invention, which will enableothers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to a process for the manufacture of alcohol. I

An object of the invention is to provide a process by which a greater amount of alcohol can be produced from a given quantity of materia than has heretofore been possible. A further object is to provide a new phoeess in the manufacture of alcohol, whereby its cost of production is chea ened.

A further object is to provi e a process for the manufacture of alcohol wherein a much smaller amount of malt is necessary for a given yield than hasheretofore been possible. Another object is to provide a process of making alcohol by treating distillery ,slop or extracts of grains by growing in them fungi which secrete diastase aifid afterward adding this treated material to the usual mash in thefermenting tub. A

Another object lies in utilizing both a malt diastase anda fungi diastase during fermentation to thus combine the advan-' tages of each for the manufacture of alcohol to avoid the disadvantages which they have when separately, used.

Otherobjects in ourprocess will appear in the following description. 40.

, The method commonly used for the manufacture of' alcohol out of the starches of the raw material consists in first cooking the the said raw material in order to liqluefy t e iquestarch and afterward convertin .fied starch by .the addition of ma t at a temperature of' about 145 Fahrenheit; the mash thus obtained being afterward cooled and yeast added to it in order to bringit into fermentation. i

I To those skilled in the art it is known that .by the process termed "conversion the transformation of the liquefied starch is never a-complete one, only about 80 Per cent.

om the to 12 er cent. of raw material in the shape a of ma t but we have'found that in the conversion of the'mash the percentages of sugar and dextrins abovenamed can be obtained with a much smaller amount of malt than heretofore used, we having found that as low as three per cent. of malt will accomplish the same conversion in producing a yield of the aforesaid 80 per cent. maltose and 20 per cent. dextrins. The reason that the distiller, under the common methods must use so large an amount of malt is that he must have a sufficient quantity of diastase in order to transform the dextrins and starches left from the conversion into fermentable sugar during fermentation, since if the quantity of malt is too small the diastase which the mash contains would not be sufficient for the work during the fermenting period since the diastase continually decreases.

., Our invention consists in using,-for the conversion, an amount of malt necessary only for a complete saccharification of the starches, that is, a saccharification in which the maximum proportion of maltose is obtainable under normal condition, and then to introduce into the converted mash, which is already cooled to the usual fermenting temperature, the rest of the necessary dias tase by the addition of fungi diastase which we obtain by the growth of diastase producin fun in a suitable medium, such as distil ery s op or extract of grain, the fungi employed being preferably Aspergillus'oryzz, or through yeast capable .of diastatic secretion like sch'izosaccharomyces ombe or Schizosaccharomyces octosporus, as acquired .diastatie power. I

We employ the malt diastase for the conversion and through the addition of diastatic slop we add diastase thereby using both the malt and the fungi diastase in the course of the fermentation, whereas in other processes but one diastase is present during fermentation, that is, either the maltdiastase or the fungi diastase but not both. The malt diastase and the fungi diastase having different properties act differently.

to accomplishing the transformation of the.

material into sugar and subsequently into alcohol than when either is used separately. Therefore, a mash containing malt diastase and fungi-diastasecombines the speed of fer mentation of malt mashes with the more thorough action of the fungi diastase and this process has in its favor, therefore, not only a considerable economy in the cost of raw material, malt being much more expensive than the unmalted grain, but has also-the advantage of a higher alcoholic yield.

Distillers have used, for many years, slop from a revious fermentation in addition to the mash in the fermenter and the use of slop in this manner is a special characteristic of the American method of manufacturing alcohol. The amount of slop thus added is from to t of the quantity of the mash.

The purpose of adding this large proportion of slop to the fermenting mash is first to utilthe production of diastase.

ize the antibacterial properties of the acid therein contained; and second to utilize the fermentable substances left in the slop from a previous fermentation.

Our invention as distinguished from the above includes atreatment of distillery slop or some other similar extract of grains having the same properties, (as, for mstance, a liquidmixture contaimng ahigh percentage of nitrogenous substances, a small amount of carbon hydrate, and a highdegree of acidity) before it is added to the fermenting mash for This consists in growing in' liquid slop, extract of grain, or

similar liquid medium, certain fungi which secrete diast ase as already stated. By this means we introduce into the mash through the slop a considerable quantity of fungi diastase as a substitute for thelarge quantity of malt required by the ordinary processes. Our method of producing fungi diastase is much cheaper-than the production of malt diastase.

' In growing the diastase producing fungi we have found, that it is strictly necessary to avoid all contaminations by acid PIOdUC'. ing bacteria, which later introduced into the mash would injure the fermentation and, as is known to those skilled in the art, would, as a consequence, cause a great loss of alcohol. The growing of fungi on,solid or pasty substances, as has been done before us, has

been necessarily unsuccessful by reason of having been carried on in the open air. But even applying the methods of pure culture, that is, growing the fungi in sterilized air tight vessels, and using liquid nutritious media, it will very often happen that the pure culture will become contaminated, the diastase producing fungi having no power to overcome the acid bacteria.

We have found that the proper way to grow diastase producing fungi is'to use both the principles of artificial pure culture, (Hansen), that is, to grow them in a sterilized liquid in air tight vessels, and the principles of natural pure culture (Delbruch) by the use of a liquid substance of relatively high organic acidity, which acidity ,will give the diastatic fungi an advantage over the acid bacteria, the high degree of acidity preventing the propagation of contaminating organisms. The liquid distillery slop, which we preferably use for the carrying out of our process, is an ideal substance for this purpose. The slop is genetically sterile leaving the still at boiling temperature, and it is an excellent nutritious medium for the diastatic fungi since. it contains many soluble nitrogenous substances, having at the same time a remarkable immunity from contamination of acid producing bacteria, owing to its own relative y high acidity.

We do not confine ourselves to growing the fungi in distillers slop necessarily, since any other liquid nitrogenous substances, such as extracts of various grains or like mediums, brought to the same organic acidity as distillers slop and which 'will furnish the proper nourishment for the fungi, may be used.

Just here we desire to state that when we refer to the slop that is added to the usual mash under our process, we mean diastatic slop, that is, a slop orextract of grain or any other suitable liquid material in which fungi with diastatic properties have been rown.

The following is the preferred manner of carrying out our process. The slop as it leaves the beer ,still at the boiling temperature, and therefore sterile, as already stated, is filled into closed tanks or pure culture apparatus after eliminating the solids, which,

however, is not a necessity but a preference. By the use of a small amount of steam the slop is held atthe boiling point in order to keep it sterile while the said tanks are being filled, so that it cannot become contaminated with bacteria, after which filtered air is blown into and through the slop ,and the latter is cooled with water until its temperature is brought down to about 90 Fahrenheit. One half of a pint of a pure culture of the fungi of which we prefer to use Aspergillus oryzw, is now sown into the slop. Regardless of the size of the tank employed one-half of a pint of a pure culture is enough as seed, since the fungi grows in the slop with extreme rapidity. The pure culture which we use for seed is obtainedin the roper bacteriological way, well known to all ermentologists.

Under continual aeration the slop remains in the pure culture tank at the initial temperature and after 36 hours from the time of sowing the fungi is developed and the slop is ready to be added to the mash in the fermenter. The mash for the fermenter is prepared in the usual manner with the only difference that but three to five per cent. of the grain is used in the shape of malt for the conversion the percentage of such malt varying with its diastatic power; having regard also, to the quantity 0 diastatic slop which is to be placed in the fermenter tomake up the desired quantity of beer, Vie take, for'instance, for every 100 bushels of corn (5600 pounds) 230 pounds of barley-malt for the conversion. The corn is first cooked with the usual quantity of water, say 1.500 gallons, under pressure, to a tem erature of about 300 Fahrenheit, then coo ed to the convert- 1 ing temperature of 145 Fahrenheit and finally converted with the malt which has been ground with water to a milky consist' ence. After 30 minutes from the time of the mixing with the malt the mash is converted A fter the conversion with malt has taken place, which can easily be determined by the well known-iodin test, the mash or wort is cooled to the usual fermenting temperature and placed in the-open fermenting tub where it is mixed with the usual yeast-mash at once. 'ihe making of distillers yeast mash is well known andneeds no explanation to those skilled in the art. V e prefer, however, to employ a pure culture yeast by makinga yeast mash of substantially two to five per cent.iof the contents of the fermenting tub (by volume) being governed by conditions existing for a given distillery, i. e., as to the quantity of beer to be produced.

Our ability to bring the mash without delay into alcoholic fermentation guarantees the highest possible safety for the results. When the mash is in the fermenter we add' the diastatic slop to it and the amount added depends upon the amount of beer to be made of a bushel of grain. For instance, if 1000 bushels of grain are to he lna'shed'for a ferment'er of 30,000 gallons capacity, 22,000 gallons of mash wilf be prepared from the tatic slop will be added to it hut'the greater 1,000 bushels and 8,000 gallons of the diasthe amount of such diastatic slop that can be used the less malt-diastase will berequired. The fermentation goes on in the same way as with theordinary malt mashes and in 60 hours from the time of beginning to fill the tub the mash is completely fermented and ready for distillation.

-. We donot confine ourselves to )utting the diastatic slop or other diastaticaliy prepared medium immediately into the mash after the addition of the yeast but may reserve this for many hours afterward. Thus we have considerable latitude in the use of our method.

\ Ve have found that by mixing the slop in which we cultivate the fungi, with a small amount of starch the diasta tic secretion is increased, this being done pure culture apparatus, the proportion being about one-half pound of starch to ten gallons of slop, the starch being added in pure form, or, for instance, in the form of corn meal. V? e have further found that our process gives excellent results in the manufacture of compressed yeast after the so-called Viennese process in which slopjis used in addition to the mash.

preferably in the Having thus described our invention what 3. A process in the manufacture of alcohol consisting in combining inalt-diastase and fungi-diastase in a previously prepared distillery product and distilling the same after fermentation substantially as set forth;

4-. A process in the manufacture of alcohol consisting in preparing distillery slop by growing fungi 0f the Asperg'illus org 2w ty 9 therein, preparing "a mash containing mail;-

diastase, combining the\two, and finally dis tilling the mixture-after ermentation.

5. A process in the manufacture of alcohol consisting in growing dlastase secreting fungi in a fluid medium adapted for its: reception and development, combining the-thus pre pared medium with a mash containing malt;

diastase and distilling the mass after the same has been brought into-fermentation. '6. A processin the manufacture of alcohol consisting, in growing diastase secreting fungiv in a sterilized nitrogenous fluid medium, combining the same with a malt converted fermenting distillerymash. and distilling the product after fermentation.

' 7. The process of growing diastase secreting fungi in a sterilized liquid nitrogenous medium while held removed from contaminating influences, and afterward combining the same with a fermenting mash containing fermentation. r, 8. The processof growlng dlastas'e secre mg fun n a sterilized l1 nitro eno 'malt diastase and distilling thmixture after nating influences and aftcrward in open air I combining the same with a fermenting mash containing malt-diastase anddistilling the mlxturcafter lerinentation. p

9. A process mthe manufacture of alcohol consisting in adding to a nitrogenous me dium, such as extract of cereals, diastase secreting fungi, adding it to at grain mash containing malt diastase, and distilling the mixture after fermentation.

10. A process in the manufacture of alcohol consisting in growingin liquid having the described characteristics of distillery slop, fungi having diastic properties, such as Asperg'illus oryzze, in pure culture, adding the same to a mash containing malt-diastase and distilling the mass after fermentation.

- fungi throughout the bulk, combining the mcnt.

11. A process in the manufacture of alcohol consisting in cooking raw materials containing starch converting the cooked mass with malt at the usual converting tern )erature, cooling the mixture to the usu'ai fermenting temperature; mixing it with distillers yeast and with a liquid in which diastase secreting fungi have been cultivated in pure culture and distilling after-fermentation.

12. A process inthe manufacture of alcohol consisting in vtreatlnga nitrogenous medium, preferably one of iiuid nature by sowing diastase secreting fungi therein, allowing siiilicient'time for the development of such medium containing maltidiastase, adding a fermenting agent. and fermentation.v

finallyfdistilling after 14. A process in the manufactured? aloe;

hol consisting in growing ii -a nitrogenous medium in pure culture, fungi ha'ving diastatic properties,- allowing therfungi tofully develop throughout the medium, combining the prepared medium with a second medium containing malt-diastase and adding'a fermenting agent.

15 Aprocess inthe manufacture of alcohol conslstmg in adding to a mash at the usiial converting temperature, an amount of malt necessary only for the usually complete sac-- charification of the starches said mash,

and then adding thereto diastase in the form of fungi-diastase in an amount sufficient to fully convert the mash during fermentation.

16. A process in the manufacture of alcohol. consisting in adding to a mash at the usual converting temperature, an amount of malt necessary only for the complete saccharin cation of the starches in said mash, and then adding thereto diastase in the form of fungi' diastasc in an amount sufficient to fully convert the mash during fermentation, allowing the mixture to ferment and finally distilling the same. g

17.. A process in the manufacture of-alcohol consisting in heating to a high degree an acidified liquid nitrogenous medium while protected from the air to render it immune from contaminating influences, cooling the liquid to substantially- 90 Fahrenheit, 'sowing therein fungi-diastase While still protected from the air, combining the treated medium with a mash containing malt diastase and finally adding a' yeast thereto to bring the mixture into fermentation. 18. Aprocess in the manufacture of alcohol consisting in heating to the boiling point an acidified liquid nitrogenous medium in a pure culture to render it sterile, reducing the temperature to substantially Fahrenheit, sowing therein fungi diastase and a small quantity of starch while still in pure culture and after allowing the mixture to mature combining it with a mash containing malt diastase, and then adding to the combined mass, a yeast mash to bring the whole into fermentation.

19. In the manufacture of alcohol, the process consisting in preparing a distillery product containing both malt diastase and fungi diastase, allowing said product to ferment, and distilling the same after fermentation.

20. In the manufacture of alcohol, the process hich consists in preparing a distillery product, .malt diastase, and fungi diastase, and subjecting said product to the action ofthe other materials in succession.

21. In the manufacture of alcohol, the

process which consists in subjecting a suit- 1 be had thereby, and subjecting the resultant product to the action of fungi diastase, to secure further conversion.

In testimony whereofwe affix our signa tures, in presence of two witnesses.

ADOLBH WQOLNER, JR. ALADAR LASSLOFFY Witnesses:

R. 0. RYAN, E. W. STURM. 

